One Slip Away

A Story by Annemarie

Flash Fiction - just wondering if it's any good.

One Slip Away

by Anne M Carroll

'Come on Jenny! We've been chatting online long enough. I want to meet you. How about a meal at a classy restaurant on Friday?' C'mon sweetheart.' The words flickered on the screen.

He wooed and dined her and she felt special. She could imagine that's how all the women had felt.

Jasmine had her nails done, her hair too, and had even bought a new dress. Carly had lost weight and bought a new outfit; and poor Amber! - she had gone to the extreme and had Botox done and varicose veins removed. Now they were all in the morgue, or rather their body parts were. She shivered as she wondered how many more were unaccounted for.

They strolled hand in hand through busy streets, down by the riverbank, stopping outside a small cottage. Excitement tightened in her chest.

She went into the darkened house , his arm around her, a glance behind as the door shut, the fading light and noise from outside.

But something wasn't right. She felt sleepy, not herself. It must have been the wine at the restaurant. The toxicology report showed the victims were drugged, but she hadn't seen him put anything in the wine.

She was on his couch, he was on top of her. She couldn't speak, she couldn't give the signal. Surely they would know something was wrong. He would soon spot the wire. They'll still catch him, all the DNA evidence will be here in his house, but she doesn't want to be his last victim.

'You're always one slip away from death in this job', her colleagues words began to rattle in her ear. One slip away from death.